New management, new thinking, new Mayo.
It would’ve been the easiest thing in the world for Stephen Rochford to hit the panic button back in June.
For the first time in six years, Mayo were knocked out of Connacht, their old enemy had shocked them from nowhere and a new manager came under scrutiny – months after a management upheaval.
Rochford was trying something new even though he could’ve just reverted to type safe in the knowledge that these lads knew how to get through these games. They would’ve taken him to the latter stages of the All-Ireland anyway but he had a bigger picture in mind.
So he stuck to his beliefs. He had a new vision for Mayo football and, game by game, the westerners have adapted.
They’re kicking the ball, they’re in new positions and, quietly, without anyone really realising, they’re in a position to win the All-Ireland championship.
Donal Vaughan is one man who has had to adapt. He formed part of a formidable half back line under James Horan. Himself and Lee Keegan blazed up and down the wings for fun but now he’s in midfield and Keegan has been picking up danger men.
Plus, when Vaughan gets his hands on the ball, he has a new strategy himself under Rochford’s stewardship.
“Yeah, it’s true [I am looking for that diagonal ball a lot more],” the Ballinrobe man told SportsJOE. “Every year you’re trying to improve yourself.
“No [it didn’t come easy to me]. Kicking would’ve been something I was working on over the last couple of years in fairness and nothing moves quicker than the ball.
“As a defender, when someone throws in a high ball, it can cause potential panic. It usually can result in a goal but you might need four or five of them before that happens so it’s about putting it in the right area.”
And Vaughan admits that it wasn’t a seamless transition from Holmes/Connelly to Rochford et al.
“No [it wasn’t easy to get used to the changes]. I think it has taken a bit of time,” he said.
“Every manager has his own way of playing and we’re trying to move the ball as quick as we can into the opposition’s half. If there’s a pass and you’re supposed to kick the ball, fair enough. But if it’s not on, then you have to play it as you see it.
“Whilst you’re playing within a structure and a system, the most important thing you should never lose is your instinct. Play what you see and have a go because, sometimes when you think about things too much, it just doesn’t happen.”
Of course, the narrative has been written. The Galway game was because they’ve moved too far away from what was working. The Fermanagh game and just about every other qualifier match was disastrous, patchy. Apparently.
“When we lost [against Galway], all of a sudden it was because we had something new. It was an easy thing to throw out there. The main problem that day was that we simply didn’t work hard enough.
“I have to say, in that game [against Fermanagh], I never felt like we were going to lose. At half time, in fairness, there were a few harsh words spoken. We knew it was time to step up or we were going to be out of the championship.”
But they’ve rallied. Five games in a row. Five wins. Redemption, siege, justice and all that. It’s a new force now this new Mayo team. They’re playing differently and they have new motives. They don’t care who likes them. They don’t care if they’ve earned an All-Ireland.
It’s about what happens on Sunday.
“You get what you deserve in sport,” Vaughan said.
Stephen Rochford chats with Colm Parkinson on The GAA Hour, heated Lee Keegan debate, and Barry Cahill is outnumbered by Mayo backers. Subscribe here on iTunes.
